St. Lucie County’s Cooperative Extension Office is urging residents on Hutchinson Island to keep an eye (and a camera) out for invasive species and predators that may impact sea turtle populations. Residents who see coyotes on the island are asked to photograph these animals and upload the image along with the location of the sighting to: http://www.ivegot1.org.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND - St. Lucie County's Cooperative Extension Office is urging residents on Hutchinson Island to keep an eye (and a camera) out for invasive species and predators that may impact sea turtle populations.

Natural Resources Extension Agent Ken Gioeli recently received an eye-witness report that there was a suspected coyote sighting on Hutchinson Island south of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant.

While St. Lucie County has not had any previous sea turtle nests damaged by coyotes, Indian River County reported that they lost just less than 450 sea turtle nests last year because of coyotes.

Gioeli is asking all residents who see coyotes on the island to photograph these animals and upload the image along with the location of the sighting to: http://www.ivegot1.org.

"I've had quite a bit of experience with invasive animals sightings in the past," said Gioeli. "Without verification, we should consider any reports to be suspected until we get visual or photographic confirmation that can be peer reviewed."

Residents are reminded that St. Lucie County's 21 miles of beaches are critical nesting areas for Florida's endangered and threatened sea turtles. Sea turtle nesting season runs March 1 through Nov. 15.